ITALIAN RESPONSE TO 9/13 GAERC DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003480 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2014 TAGS: PREL IT EUN SUBJECT: ITALIAN RESPONSE TO 9/13 GAERC DEMARCHE REF: A. STATE 193154 ¶B. ROME 3399 ¶C. ROME 3381 ¶D. ROME 3285 Classified By: A/PolMinCouns Jonathan Cohen. Reasons 1.4 B and D. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. A/DCM and A/PolMinCouns discussed Ref A points with MFA Deputy Political Director Claudio Bisogniero on September 10, as did PolOff with MFA Director for EU CFSP Luigi Mattiolo on September 9. We have also raised Ref A with various other Italian government interlocutors (Refs B-D),including, most recently, MFA Under Secretary for the Middle East and Africa Aflredo Mantica (septel). END SUMMARY. Balkans -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MFA Director for EU CFSP Luigi Mattiolo told PolOff that while Balkans issues were not on the 9/13 formal agenda, ministers were likely to include a short mention of in-depth Balkans discussions at the Gymnich in Maastrict. The EU will send an "exploratory mission" to Belgrade, Podgorica and Pristina within the next two weeks, in anticipation of a Patten/Solana visit by the end of September. The goal of the visits is to clarify with local officials the way forward on Kosovo Implementation of Standards and general SaM progress towards EU accession. Mattiolo was unaware of any planned discussion on Kosovo, but appreciated receiving our views, noting there was "no light" between US and Italian positions. IRAQ -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Mattiolo told PolOff Ref A's Iraq points were "music to my ears" because Italy has been pushing the EU to provide funds for UNPROFOR. Mattiolo was disappointed with Patten's "tone" at the Gymnich, which was "negative regarding mobilization of the EU budget" for Iraq requirements. Mattiolo was hopeful that by the time of the EU Ministers meeting with Secretary Powell and Troika meeting with SYG Annan on the margins of UNGA, like minded ministers will have convinced the Commission of the need for a "more open approach" to funding. MFA Deputy Political Director Bisongniero told A/DCM that Italy would work with the UK over the next few days to get the EU Commission to reconsider making a significant EU contribution to the UN force for Iraq. Bisogniero noted that, in addition, Italy would contribute whatever was within its capacity. He found Ref A suggestion of EU election experts particularly interesting and said Italy would try to be of assistance in securing EU election expert involvement. IRAN -------------- ¶4. (C) Bisogniero stressed that Italy has maintained a very tough line with Iran on nuclear issues and would continue to do so. He said Italy was pleased that the trend was toward Iranian engagement with the EU as a whole rather than remaining limited to the UK, France and Germany, and pointed to recent Iranian discussions with the Dutch. The Dutch, he said, were also tough and straight-forward with the Iranians. Bisongniero added that Italy believed the international community must retain the threat of referring the issue to the UNSC for the time being, because actually sending the matter to New York can only be done once, after which leverage on Iran would be lost. Mattiolo predicted the outcome would not be as forward leaning as the USG proposed in reftel. The EU would like to have more time to pressure Iran and consolidate positions before going to the UNSC. The November IAEA BOG report will be the next benchmark at which the EU will decide on possible action against Tehran. SUDAN -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ministers will urge continued preparatory work by the Commission in anticipation of a final scope/decision on the AU force from Addis Ababa and New York. MFA East Africa Office Director, Stafano Dejak stated that Italy and the EU were in agreement with the UNSC draft resolution which he said was essentially "interchangeable" with the conclusions arrived at the COAFR Troika working group meeting. He stressed the need to make things happen on the ground by supporting the AU both in its efforts to bring about a political solution through the Abuja talks and in its efforts to carry out a feasible plan on the ground. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED Visit Rome's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m SEMBLER NNNN 2004ROME03480 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL